Device for firing flashlamps in camera

ABSTRACT

A device comprises a changeover member disposed in operative relation to a shutter release member and adapted for a varying amount of movement in accordance with the need for flash photography, a detecting member whose operation is limited by the changeover member when a flash exposure is unnecessary and which detects the presence or absence of a striking member for firing a flashlamp when a flash exposure is required, and a locking member for interrupting the movement of the shutter release member in operative relation to the action of the detecting member when the detecting member detects that the striking member is not present at a predetermined tensioned position. Thus, when a flash picture is to be taken, the device prevents an exposure making operation which would otherwise be effected without firing of the flashlamp.

United States Patent 1 Yamanaka 3,733,987 51 May 22,1973

[75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha,

Osaka, Japan [22] Filed: June 23, 1971 21 Appl. No.2 155,743

Akira Yamanaka, Sakai, Japan Primary ExaminerRobert P. GreinerAttorney-Stanley Wolder [57] ABSTRACT A device comprises a changeovermember disposed in operative relation to a shutter release member andadapted for a varying amount of movement in accordance with the need forflash photography, a detecting member whose operation is limited by thechangeover member when a flash exposure is unnecessary and which detectsthe presence or absence of a striking member for firing a flashlamp whena flash exposure is required, and a locking member for interrupting themovement of the shutter release member in operative relation to theaction of the detecting member when the detecting member detects thatthe striking member is not present at a predetermined tensionedposition. Thus, when a flash picture is to be taken, the device preventsan exposure making operation which would otherwise be effected withoutfiring of the flashlamp.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMMZZ'W 3,733,987

sum 2 BF 3 INVENTOR m IA-MAM an ATV )RNEY SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR 68m AYnmndnm BY MUM ATTORNEY 1 DEVICE FOR FIRING FLASI-ILAMPS IN CAMERABACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a devicefor firing flashlamps in a camera, more particularly to a device in acamera for detecting whether a flashlamp can be fired or not.

Cameras have already been known which are to be equipped with apercussion-ignitable flashlamp or a flash unit incorporating a pluralityof such flashlamps. With a camera of this type, the flashlamp is firedto take a flash picture by being struck on its leg in synchronism withthe movement of the sector upon shutter release and, every time anexposure has been made, the flash unit is rotated a predetermined angleautomatically or in operative relation to a shutter cocking operation tobring a fresh or unfired flashlamp to the front of the camera for thesubsequent operation of taking a flash picture.

However, the camera such as described above has the drawback that evenwhen a fired flashlamp is erroneously mounted or when all the flashlampsin a flash unit have been fired, the film will be exposed without firingof flashlamp in spite of the need for flash photography since a shutterrelease operation effects an exposure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide adevice to be incorporated in a camera for use with a percussionignitableflashlamp or a flash unit including a plurality of such flashlamps fortaking a flash picture, the device of this invention being so adapted asto detect whether the flashlamp mounted on the camera can be fired ornot prior to the action of a member for actuating a striking member forfiring the flashlamp in order to prevent a shutter release operationupon detecting that the flashlamp is not ignitable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for firing theflashlamp only when the need for a flash exposure is detected.

The device of this invention comprises a changeover member for taking aflash picture to be moved a varying amount in operative relationship toa shutter release member upon mechanically detecting the position of thepointer of exposure meter so as to judge the need for a flash exposure,a detecting member whose operation is limited by the changeover memberwhen a flash exposure is unnecessary and which detects whether astriking member for firing a flashlamp is located at a predeterminedtensioned position when a flash exposure is required, and a lockingmember operatively associated with the detecting member to be moved avarying amount in corresponding relation to the displacement of thedetecting member, the locking member being adapted to interrupt theaction of the release member to be actuated upon by a shutter releaseoperation when the detecting member detects that the striking member isnot located at the predetermined tensioned position.

The striking .member comprises a spring or the like retainedat apredetermined position in tensioned state and strikes the flashlamp onits leg for firing by its spring force upon being freed from itstensioned position. If the flashlamp is an unfired one, the strikingmember is retainedin its tensioned position and if it has already beenfired, the striking member is not located at its tensioned position.

Accordingly, the detecting member detects whether the striking member isat the predetermined position or not, only when the changeover memberfor flash photography detects the need for a flash exposure, and whenthe detecting member detects that the striking member is at thepredetermined tensioned position, the release member, free of thelocking engagement by the locking member, effects a normal shutterrelease operation to permit the flashlamp to fire in synchronism withopening of the sector.

In accordance with this invention, a trigger member for actuating thestriking member to fire the flashlamp upon shutter release is disposedin operative relation to a sector actuating member for opening thesector.

In the case where the trigger member is actuated every time the shutteris released, for example, when flash exposure is unnecessary with theresulting possibility of the flashlamp firing, there is provided amechanism wherein the action of the trigger member is limited by themovement of the changeover member to cause the trigger member to followthe movement of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview showing the principal structure of an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the shutter inthe cooked position;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the same the moment when a detecting memberdetects upon the action of a shutter release member that a strikingmember is in a predetermined tensioned position;

FIG. 4 is a view of the same wherein the action of the shutter releasemember is interrupted upon the detecting member detecting that thestriking member is not located at the predetermined tensioned position;

FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of this invention whereinthe action of a trigger member is limited by the movement of achangeover member to cause the trigger member to follow the movement ofa sector actuating member and thereby fire a flashlamp only when a flashexposure is required; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of the same when the shutter release member isinitiated into operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS striking member 3 is inengagement with a retainer pin 2b and a suitable portion of the free end3a thereof is caught by a pin 20. Thus the striking member 3 is incompressed state. As will be described later, the striking member 3 hitsthe flashlamp 1 on its leg 1a to fire the same under the spring forcethereof when disengaged from the pin 2c as indicated in a phantom line3' in FIG. 1. Under the free end 3a of the striking member 3, themounting base 2 is formed with a window 2d for permitting entrance ofmembers in the main body of the camera.

The mounting base 2 may serve as a base plate of a flash unit. In thecase of a flash unit incorporating therein a plurality of flashlamps,the unit is rotatably and detachable mounted on the main body (notshown) of the camera, with a plurality of flashlamps l spaced apartequidistantly along a circumference having a center at a rotary shaft(not shown) of the mounting base 2. The striking members 3 and windows2d are identical with the flashlamps 1 in number and so arranged asillustrated. When the flashlamps 1 have not been fired, the strikingmembers 3 are all retained in the tensioned position. Every time aflashlamp l is fired, the mounting base 2 is rotated automatically or inoperative relation to a shutter cocking operation to position an unfiredflashlamp at the front of the camera.

Under the action of a return spring 5, a release member 4 is urgedupward in the drawing and pushed down by a shutter release operation.

A latch 6 for retaining a sector actuating member 10 in its tensionedposition by a hook 6a at its front end is pivoted at 7 in the interiorof the camera body and is urged in a counterclockwise direction in thedrawing by a spring 8, the position of the latch 6 being determined bya' stopper pin 9. The latch 6 is turned clockwise by a pin 4a projectingfrom the rear face of the release member 4 when the member 4 is moveddownward to permit the hook 6a to release the sector actuating member10.

The sector actuating l pivoted at 11 is urged in a counterclockwisedirection in the drawing by a spring 12 and moved in the already knownmanner by an unillustrated member upon a shutter cocking operation. Atthe cocked position shown, the actuating member is arrested at its frontend 10a by the hook 6a of the latch 6. When released from the latch 6upon shutter release, the actuating member rotates in a counterclockwisedirection under the action of the spring 12, permitting the front end100 to drive the sector 13.

A sector 13 pivoted at 14 is urged in a counterclockwise direction inthe drawing by a spring 15 and retained at the position to close theaperture 17 of the shutter by a stopper pin 16. The counterclockwiserotation of the actuating member 10 due to the action of the spring 12upon disengagement from the latch 6 causes the front end 10a thereof topush the driven portion 13a of the sector 13 and drive the sector 13 ina clockwise direction to open the aperture 17 of the shutter. Furthercounterclockwise rotation of the actuating member 10 permits the frontend 100 to pass over the driven portion 13a of the sector 13 and therebydisengage the same, whereupon the sector 13 is turned counterclockwiseby the spring 15 to close the aperture 17 of the shutter. When thesector actuating member 10 is rotated clockwise and brought to thelatched position shown by a shutter cocking operation, the front end 10athereof is pushed upward along the curved edge of the sector 13 behindits driven portion 13a and brought over the upper portion of the sector13 to the tensioned position shown in the drawing.

The mounting means for flashlamp 1 already known in the art and shutterrelease mechanism and its operation of making an exposure without usingflashlight have been described. The mechanism for firing flashlamps willnow be described.

Disposed in engagement with a pin 4b on the front face of the releasemember 4 at its lower end is one end 18a of an interlocking member 18which is pivoted at 19 in the manner of a balance, the other end 18bthereof being in engagement with a lug 20a at the lower end of achangeover member 20 for flash photography. The changeover member 20 issupported in vertically movable manner, with its slot 20b receivingtherein a pin 21 within the camera body, and is urged upward by a spring22. Extending sidewise from the changeover member 20 is an arm 200 fordetecting the position of the pointer 23 of an exposure meter.

As already known, the pointer 23 is deflected depending upon theexposure conditions such as dia* phragm aperture value of the camera,shutter speed, film speed, etc. and is located at the position indicatedin a solid line in the drawing under the conditions wherein the subjectis dark and use of flashlight is required, while it is located at theposition of a phantom line 23' in FIGS. 1 and 2 where the subject isbright and a flash exposure is not necessary. Accordingly, thechangeover member 20 detects the position of the pointer 23 with its arm20c when moved upward. More specifically, when the pointer 23 is sopositioned as indicated in the solid line (i.e., when a flash exposureis required,) the changeover member 20 is free to move upward withoutbeing interfered with by the pointer 23, but when the pointer 23 is atthe position indicated by the phantom line 23 (i.e., when a flashlightexposure is not required), the arm 20c comes into contact with thepointer 23 and the changeover member 20 is therefore limited in itsupward movement by the pointer 23 which is prevented from upwarddisplacement by an unillustrated member.

The changeover member 20 for flash photography is further formed in itsupper end with a hook 20d which is in engagement with a pin 24a at thetail end of a detecting member 24 for detecting whether the strikingmember 3 is located at a predetermined tensioned position or not, namelywhether the flashlamp 1 is ignitable or not.

The detecting member 24 pivoted at 25 is urged in a counterclockwisedirection in the drawing by a spring 26. Although the springs 22 and 26act in the opposite relation to the action of the return spring 5 forthe re lease member 4, the respective springs are such that the force ofthe return spring 5 is sufficiently greater than the total force of thesprings 22 and 26.

The detecting member 24 is formed at its one side with an upwardlyextending arm 24b whose upper end is positioned immediately under thewindow 2d of the mounting base 2 and, at the other side thereof, with apin 240 in engagement with a cam portion 270 of a locking member 27. Theupward movement of the changeover member 20, upon detection of the needfor a flash exposure, permits the detecting member 24 to rotate in acounterclockwise direction under the action of the spring 26 and therebyproject the upper end of the arm 24b into the window 2d so as to detectwhether the striking member 3 is at the predetermined tensioned positionor not.

If the striking member 3 is located at the predetermined tensionedposition, the upper end of the arm 24b abuts the free end 3a of thestriking member 3, whereupon the detecting member 24 is prevented fromfurther counterclockwise rotation as shown in FIG. 3, whereas if thefree end is not located at the predetermined position, the detectingmember 24 will be rotated further in a counterclockwise direction asillustrated in FIG. 4.

On the other hand if the changeover member detects from the presence ofthe pointer 23 that flash photography is unnecessary, the upwarddisplacement of the member 20 will be smaller due to the interference bythe pointer 23, with the result that the amount of the counterclockwiserotation of the detecting member 24 will be smaller because of therestriction by the hook 20d of the member 20, and the arm 24b will notenter the window 2d.

It is noted that the detecting member 24 detects the presence of thestriking member 23 under the action of the spring 26 so that uponcontact of the arm 24b with thefree end 3a of the striking member 3, thespring 26 will exert its force on the free end 3a, but the strikingmember 3 will not be released by the spring force from the pin 20 whichretains the striking member 3 at its tensioned position since the forceof the spring 26 is sufficiently smaller than the spring force of thestriking member 3.

The locking member 27 pivoted at 28 is urged in a clockwise in thedrawing by a spring 29, with its cam portion 27a in contact with a pin240 on the detecting member 24, and is formed at its lower end with ahook 27b in engageable relation to a pin 40 projecting from the releasemember 4.

When the changeover member 20 moves up detecting the need for a flashexposure upon depression of the release member 4, permitting thecounterclockwise rotation of the detecting member 24, the position wherethe pin 240 on the detecting member 24 contacts the cam portion 27a ofthe locking member 27 shifts. If the detecting member 24 detects thestriking member 3 located at the predetermined tensioned position atthis time, the detecting member 24 is prevented from further rotation bythe striking member 3 as shown in FIG. 3, so that the pin 24c on thedetecting member 24 is kept in contact with the projecting cam portion27a of the locking member 27 to prevent the locking member 27 'frommaking a great pivotal movement. With the hook 27b of the locking member27 thus retained away from the path of the pin 40 of the release member4, the release member 4 is allowed to move further downward, whichcauses the pin 40 on its rear face to come into contact with the latch 6and thereby rotate the same in a clockwise direction. The hook 6atherefore releases the sector actuating member 10, which in turn movesin a counterclockwise direction under the action of the spring 12 todrive the sector 13 for opening and closing of the shutter.

The sector actuating member 10 further actuates with'its front end 10atrigger member 30 for triggering the striking member 3.

. The trigger member 30 which is pivoted at the same as the detectingmember 24, has an arm a disposed immediately under the window 2d of themounting base 2 in juxtaposed relation to the arm 24b 6 of the detectingmember 24 and an arm 30b extending downward to the path of front end 10aof the sector actuating member 10.

' Accordingly, the counterclockwise rotation of the sector actuatingmember 10 pushes the arm 30b of the trigger member 30 to move the member30 in a counterclockwise direction, permitting the arm 30a thereof topush up the free end 3a of the striking member 3 and thereby free thestriking member 3 from its tensioned position where it is retained bythe pin 20, whereupon the striking member 3 forcefully strikes theflashlamp 1 on its leg la by its own spring force to fire the same.

The foregoing respective members are of course in such arrangement thatthe flashlarnp 1 is fired in synchronism with the action of the shutter.Further the striking member 3 engages the pin 20 under a strong springforce of its own such that it will not be disengaged therefrom even whenthe arm 24b of the detecting member 24 hits the free end 3a thereof, butthe spring 12 acting on the sector actuating member 10 has such forcethat the spring 12 causes the actuating member 10 to drive the sector 13against the action of the spring 15 and to release the striking member 3from the pin 20 against the engaging force of the striking member 3.

When relieved of the depression by a shutter release operation, therelease member 4 returns upward under the action of the spring 5 causingthe interlocking member 18, changeover member 20, detecting member 24,locking member 27 and latch 6 to return to the original position shownin FIG. 2. As already described, a shutter cocking operation brings thesector actuating member 10 to its tensioned position for engagement withthe latch 6, while at the same time the trigger member 30 is returned tothe position of FIG. 2 due to gravity and is supported by a stopper pin31. In the case where the camera has mounted thereon a flash unitincluding a plurality of flashlamps, the mounting base 2 is rotated tobring an unfired flashlamp to the front of the camera.

The present device will further be described below with respect to itsoperation when the shutter is released after the flashlamp 1 has alreadybeen fired (i.e., when the striking member 3 is'not in the predeterminedtensioned position). I

In operative relation to the downward movement of the release member 4effected by a shutter release operation, the changeover member 20 forflash photography moves upward upon detecting the need for flashphotography as shown in FIG. 4. The resulting counterclockwise rotationof the detecting member 24 due to the spring 26permits the arm 24bthereof to advance into the window 2d of the mounting base 2. Since theflashlamp 1 has been fired and the striking member 3 is not located atthe predetermined tensioned position, the detecting member 24 is free tomake a greater rota; tion as compared with the case in FIG. 3 alreadydescribed, with the result that the pin 24c is brought into contact withthe-recess in the cam portion 27a of the locking member 27, which inturn rotates clockwise under the action of the spring 29 allowing thehook 27b to position in the path of pin 40 of the-release member 4 forengagement with the pin 4c so as to prevent the release member 4 fromfurther downward movement. Thus the release member 4 is blocked in thecourse of its movement. As a result, the pin 4a extending from the rearface of the release member 4 will not press the latch 6 and the sectoractuating member 10 remains arrested at the tensioned position by thehook 6a of the latch 6 without moving the sector 13. The trigger member30 is also left intact.

Accordingly, the flashlamp 1 will then be replaced with a fresh, unfiredone or a fresh flash unit will be mounted on the camera to make anexposure again. Thus, the present device serves to eliminate a failuresuch as an exposure making operation effected without firing a flashlampwhere flash photography is required.

Secured to the extension 24d of the detecting mem ber 24 is an indicator32 for indicating and warning that the camera is not ready for flashphotography, the indicator 32 being adapted to appear in the finderfield 33 by the action of the detecting member 24 as shown in FIG. 4 ifthe flashlamp l is a fired one or a flashlamp is not mounted on thecamera in taking a flash photograph. Alternatively, such indication maybe provided by some other suitable means for warning as by lighting ared lamp attached to a suitable portion of the camera. When the camerais ready for a flash exposure or for usual photographing operationwithout firing the flashlamp, the indicator 32 will not appear in thefinder field 33 since the rotational displacement of the detectingmember 24 is small.

It will be seen that if the subject is bright and it is not necessary touse flashlight, the small upward displacement of the changeover member20 due to the limitation by the pointer of exposure meter furtherrestricts pivotal movement of the detecting member 24, so that therelease member 4 is free to move downward without being blocked by thelocking member 27 for a usual shutter release operation. In accordancewith the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, the arm 30b of trigger member 30is positioned in the path of the front end 10a of the sector actuatingmember 10 all the time, with the result that every time the sectoractuating member 10 is moved upon shutter release, the arm 30a of thetrigger member 30 will be projected above the upper face of the camerato fire a flashlamp if it is mounted on the camera notwithstanding thatflashlight is unnecessary. For this reason, with the foregoingembodiments, the flashlamp has to be removed from the camera if thesubject is bright and flashlight is not required.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, there is provided means asshown in FIG. 5 and 6, wherein the same members as those in FIGS. 1 to 4are referred to by the same reference numerals and characters. Achangeover member 40 for flash photography is urged upward by a spring42, with its slot 40b receiving therein a pin 41 within the camera bodyand has a lug 40a at its lower end in engagement with the end 18b of theinterlocking member 18, the changeover member 40 thus being adapted forupward movement in operative relation with the depression of the releasemember 4, permitting the arm 40c thereof to detect the position of thepointer 23 of exposure meter. When the subject is bright and flashlightis not necessary, upward movement of the changeover member 40 is limitedby the pointer 23 as shown in FIG. 5, while when a flash exposure isrequired, the member 40 is movable a greater amount because the pointer23 is so positioned as shown in FIG. 6.

A detecting member 43 pivoted at 44 is urged in a counterclockwisedirection by a spring 45 and has a pin 43a engaged by a hook 40d at theupper end of the changeover member 40 and an upwardly extending arm 43bpositioned immediately below the window 2d of the mounting base 2. Upondetecting that flash photography is unnecessary, the changeover member40 limits the counterclockwise rotation of the detecting member 43 andupon detecting the need for flash photography, the changeover member 40permits the detecting member 43 to move counterclockwise free of thelimitation. The arm 43b therefore detects whether the striking member 3is located at a predetermined tensioned position or not, with the resultthat if the flashlamp has not been fired, the striking member 3 preventsthe detecting member 43 from further counterclockwise rotation, while ifthe flashlamp 1 has already been fired, the detecting member 43 rotatesa greater amount, permitting a locking member 46 in contact with the pin430 on the member 43 to move pivotally a great amount. The detectingmember 43 is further provided on its extension 43d with an indicatorwhich is introduced into the finder field 33 when the flashlamp is onewhich has already been fired.

The locking member 46 pivoted at 47 is urged in a clockwise direction bya spring 48 and has a cam portion 46a in engagement with the pin 43c onthe detecting member 43. When the amount of rotation of the detectingmember 43 is small (i.e., when the detecting member detects that theflashlamp has not been fired and when flash photography is notrequired), the pro jecting cam portion 46a of the locking member 46 isin contact with the pin 43c to permit the lower end hook 46b retractedfrom the path of pin 4c of the release member 4, the release member 4thus being free to move down for shutter release.

Upon detecting that the flashlamp has already been fired on the otherhand, the detecting member 43 makes a great rotation causing the pin 43cto contact the recess in the cam portion 46a and permitting the lockingmember 46 to make a great rotation under the action of the spring 48.Consequently, the hook 46b is brought to the path of pin 40 on therelease member 4 for engagement with the pin 40 so as to stop therelease member 4 in the course of its downward movement and to therebyblock an exposure making operation.

In this way the respective members 40, 43, 46 perform the same operationas the members 20, 24, 27 in FIGS. 1 to 4. The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and6 includes an improved trigger member 49 which no longer requires theremoval of the flashlamp irrespective of the photographing conditions.

The trigger member 49 pivoted at 44 the same as the detecting member 43is urged in a' counterclockwise direction by a spring 50 and has anupwardly extending arm 49a whose upper end is positioned immediatelyunder the window 2d of the mounting base 2 in juxtaposed relation to thearm 43b of the detecting member 43 and an arm 49b to be pushed by thefront end 10a of the sector actuating member 10 during flashphotographing operation. The trigger member 49 further includes anextension implanted with a pin 49c adapted for engagement with the hook40d at the upper end of the changeover member 40 under the action of thespring 50 so that when the flashlight is not used, namely when thechangeover member 40 is limited in its upward movement by the pointer 23of exposure meter, the arm 49b is retracted upward from the path of thefront end 10a of the sector actuating member 10 as seen in FIG. 5, thearrangement further being such that when the changeover member 40 movesupward a great deal upon detecting the need for flash photography, thetrigger member 49 is allowed to turn counterclockwise under the actionof the spring 50 to position the arm 49b in the path of movement of thefront end 10a of the sector actuating member 10 as illustrated in FIG.6.

Thus if flash photography is unnecessary, a shutter release operationwill not cause the sector actuating member 10 to rotate the triggermember 49, eliminating undesired firing of an unfired flashlamp mountedon the camera, but only when the changeover member 40 detects the needfor use of flashlight, the trigger member 49 is shifted to the positionwhere it is actuated in operative relation to the sector actuatingmember 10 to thereby fire the flashlamp synchronously with the openingof the shutter. In the case where the flashlamp has already been firedwhen there is the need for flash photography, the sector actuatingmember 10 remains arrested at its tensioned position as previouslydescribed.

What is claimed is: 1. In a camera including a shutter and equipped witha flash unit including a percussion-ignitable flashlamp and a strikerelement movable from a cocked to an uncocked position: a shutter releasemember movable between retracted and advanced positions;

a shutter actuating member actuatable in response to the advance of saidshutter release member;

means for measuring the camera incident light movable between flash andnon-flash positions in response to said incident light being below andabove a predetermined value respectively and being operable upon advanceof said shutter release member and prior to action of said shutteractuating memher;

a striker detecting means for detecting the position of said strikerelement movable in response to said light responsive means being in saidflash position to positions responsive to the cocked and uncockedpositions of said striker element;

means responsive to said striker detecting means sensing said strikerelement in uncocked condition and to said light responsive means beingin said flash position for locking said shutter release mem her in itsretracted position; and

a flash synchronizing means for releasing said striker element to firesaid flashlamp in synchronism with opening of the shutter.

2. The camera as set forth in claim 1, comprising means for freeing saidflash synchronizing means from the action of said shutter actuatingmember when flash photography is not required including means forretaining said flash synchronizing means at a position out of the pathof said shutter actuating member.

3. The camera as set forth in claim 1,.wherein said striker detectingmeans includes an indicating member for indicating the camera ignitioncondition.

4. The camera as set forth in claim 3, comprising means for freeing saidflash synchronizing means from the action of said shutter actuatingmember when flash photography is not required including means forretaining said flash synchronizing means at a position out of the pathof said shutter actuating member.

5. The camera as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light measuringmeans includes an element movable in response to said incident light anda flash changeover member having a sensing member for sensing theposition of said light responsive element member to operate inaccordance with the brightness of an object, said flash changeovermember being actuated in response to the actuation of said shutterrelease member and prior to the action of said shutter actuating member;and said striker detecting means being movable moves in response to theposition of said flash changeover member when said light responsiveelement indicates an incident light level requiring flash photographyand is stopped by said striker element in its cocked position.

6. The camera as set forth in claim 5, comprising means for freeing saidflash synchronizing means from the action of said shutter actuatingmember when flash photography is not required including means forretaining said flash synchronizing means at a position out of the pathof said shutter actuating member.

7. The camera as set forth in claim 5, wherein said striker detectingmeans includes an indicating member for indicating the camera flashcondition.

8. The camera as set forth in claim 7, including means for arrestingsaid flash synchronizing means by said flash changeover member at aposition free of the action of said shutter actuating member when flashphotography is not required.

9. In a camera including a shutter and equipped with a flash unitincluding a percussion-ignitable flashlamp and a striker element movablefrom a cocked to an uncocked position:

a shutter release member movable between retracted and advancedpositions;

a shutter actuating member actuatable in response to the advance of saidshutter release member;

means for measuring the camera incident light movable between flash andnon-flash positions in response to said incident light being below andabove a predetermined value respectively and being operable upon advanceof said shutter release member and prior to action of said shutteractuating member;

a striker detecting means for detecting the position of said strikerelement movable in response to said light responsive means being in saidflash position to positions responsive to the cocked and uncockedpositions of said striker element;'

means responsive to said striker detecting means sensing said strikerelement in uncocked condition and to said light responsive means sensingambient light below said predetermined level for visually indicating thecamera flash condition; and

a flash synchronizing means for releasing said striker element inrelation to said shutter actuating mem-.

her so as to fire said flashlamp in synchronism with opening of theshutter.

10. The camera as set forth in claim 9, comprising,

means for freeing said flash synchronizing means from the action of saidshutter actuating member when flash photography is not requiredincluding meansfor retaining said flash synchronizing means at aposition out of the path of said shutter actuating member.

11. The camera as set forth in claim 9, including means for locking saidshutter release member in its retracted position when said strikerdetecting means senses said striker element in uncocked condition.

12. The camera as set forth in claim 11, including means for arrestingsaid flash synchronizing means by said flash changeover member at aposition free of the action of said shutter actuating member when flashphotography is not required.

13. In a camera including a shutter and equipped with a flash unitincluding a percussion ignitable flash lamp and a striker elementmovable from a cocked to an uncocked position, first means transferablebetween flash and nonflash conditions in response to the light incidenton said camera being respectively below and above a predetermined value,second means for detecting the position of said striker element andtransferable between cocked and uncocked indicating conditions inresponse to the cocked and uncocked positions respectively of saidstriker element, and third means for preventing the actuation of saidshutter in response to said lease member movable between a retracted andan advanced position, a shutter actuating member responsive to theadvance of said shutter release member and means responsive to thepartial advance of said shutter release member for actuating said firstmeans prior to the actuation of said shutter actuating member.

1. In a camera including a shutter and equipped with a flash unitincluding a percussion-ignitable flashlamp and a striker element movablefrom a cocked to an uncocked position: a shutter release member movablebetween retracted and advanced positions; a shutter actuating memberactuatable in response to the advance of said shutter release member;means for measuring the camera incident light movable between flash andnon-flash positions in response to said incident light being below andabove a predetermined value respectively and being operable upon advanceof said shutter release member and prior to action of said shutteractuating member; a striker detecting means for detecting the positionof said striker element movable in response to said light responsivemeans being in said flash position to positions responsive to the cockedand uncocked positions of said striker element; means responsive to saidstriker detecting means sensing said striker element in uncockedcondition and to said light responsive means being in said flashposition for locking said shutter release member in its retractedposition; and a flash synchronizing means for releasing said strikerelement to fire said flashlamp in synchronism with opening of theshutter.
 2. The camera as set forth in claim 1, comprising means forfreeing said flash synchronizing means from the action of said shutteractuating member when flash photography is not required including meansfor retaining said flash synchronizing means at a position out of thepath of said shutter actuating member.
 3. The camera as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said striker detecting means includes an indicatingmember for indicating the camera ignition condition.
 4. The camera asset forth in claim 3, comprising means for freeing said flashsynchronizing means from the action of said shutter actuating memberwhen flash photography is not required including means for retainingsaid flash synchronizing means at a position out of the path of saidshutter actuating member.
 5. The camera as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid light measuring means includes an element movable in response tosaid incident light and a flash changeover member having a sensingmember for sensing the position of said light responsive element memberto operate in accordance with the brightness of an object, said flashchangeover member being actuated in response to the actuation of saidshutter release member and prior to the action of said shutter actuatingmember; and said striker detecting means being movable moves in responseto the position of said flash changeover member when said lightresponsive element indicates an incident light level requiring flashphotography and is stopped by said striker element in its cockedposition.
 6. The camera as set forth in claim 5, comprising means forfreeing said flash synchronizing means from the action of said shutteractuating member when flash photography is not required including meansfor retaining said flash synchronizing means at a position out of thepath of said shutter actuating member.
 7. The camera as set forth inclaim 5, wherein said striker detecting means includes an indicatingmember for indicating the camera flash condition.
 8. The camera as setforth in claim 7, including means for arresting said flash synchronizingmeans by said flash changeover member at a position free of the actionof said shutter actuating member when flash photography is not required.9. In a camera including a shutter and equipped with a flash unitincluding a percussion-ignitable flashlamp and a striker element movablefrom a cocked to an uncocked position: a shutter release member movablebetween retracted and advanced positions; a shutter actuating memberactuatable in response to the advance of said shutter release member;means for measuring the camera incident light movable between flash andnon-flash positions in response to said incident light being below andabove a predetermined value respectively and being operable upon advanceof said shutter release member and prior to action of said shutteractuating member; a striker detecting means for detecting the positionof said striker element movable in response to said light responsivemeans being in said flash position to positions responsive to the cockedand uncocked positions of said striker element; means responsive to saidstriker detecting means sensing said striker element in uncockedcondition and to said light responsive means sensing ambient light belowsaid predetermined level for visually indicating the camera flashcondition; and a flash synchronizing means for releasing said strikerelement in relation to said shutter actuating member so as to fire saidflashlamp in synchronism with opening of the shutter.
 10. The camera asset forth in claim 9, comprising means for freeing said flashsynchronizing means from the action of said shutter actuating memberwhen flash photography is not required including means for retainingsaid flash synchronizing means at a position out of the path of saidshutter actuating member.
 11. The camera as set forth in claim 9,including means for locking said shutter release member in its retractedposition when said striker detecting means senses said striker elementin uncocked condition.
 12. The camera as set forth in claim 11,including means for arresting said flash synchronizing means by saidflash changeover member at a position free of the action of said shutteractuating member when flash photography is not required.
 13. In a cameraincluding a shutter and equipped with a flash unit including apercussion ignitable flash lamp and a striker element movable from acocked to an uncocked position, first means transferable between flashand nonflash conditions in response to the light incident on said camerabeing respectively below and above a predetermined value, second meansfor detecting the position of said striker element and transferablebetWeen cocked and uncocked indicating conditions in response to thecocked and uncocked positions respectively of said striker element, andthird means for preventing the actuation of said shutter in response tosaid first and second means being in said flash and uncocked conditionsrespectively.
 14. The camera of claim 13 including means for disablingsaid second means in response to said first means being in a nonflashcondition.
 15. The camera of claim 14 including a shutter release membermovable between a retracted and an advanced position, a shutteractuating member responsive to the advance of said shutter releasemember and means responsive to the partial advance of said shutterrelease member for actuating said first means prior to the actuation ofsaid shutter actuating member.